Glossario
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Pinwheel
Or pinwheeling refers to a method for loading trailers where you alter the direction of every other pallet. Basically you use pinwheeling to load more pallets on a trailer when the depth of the pallet is longer than half the trailer width, but the depth plus the width is less than the trailer width. You can also use it as a productivity/space utilization compromise or to reduce load shifting when loading pallets where the depth of the pallet is less than half the trailer width. See article on Trailer Loading Techniques.
Plugging
Plugging is used with electric industrial vehicles to reduce speed, stop, or change direction, without using the brake. Most commonly used with vehicles with hand throttles such as motorized pallet trucks and order selectors, the operator simply switches between forward and reverse to control speed. Though this sounds like something you shouldn't be doing, many electric trucks are designed to allow for this.
Pool
A combination of less than truckload (LTL) freight built to form a full or almost full truckload. By “sharing” space in a vehicle, the client and Nexus can minimize cost.
Product Code
A series of characters assigned by the manufacturer to identify each of its products. This is usually the SKU.
Public warehouse
A public warehouse is a business that provides short or long-term storage to a variety of businesses, usually on a month-to-month basis. A public warehouse will generally use their own equipment and staff, however, agreements may be made where the client either buys or subsidizes equipment. Public warehouse fees are usually a combination of storage fees (per pallet or actual sq. footage) and transaction fees (inbound and outbound). Public warehouses are most often used to supplement space requirements of a private warehouse. Also see Contract Warehouse and 3PL
Push sorter
A very simple fixed-position sorting device used with conveyor systems. A push sorter may use a swinging arm or a simple piston-type pushing device to push materials across the conveyor.
Push-back rack
Racking system that incorporates a carriage or other sliding device to allow you to feed multiple pallets into the same location "pushing back" the previous pallet. Also see Racking Pics Page.
Put-to-light
Technology similar to pick-to-light, however, the light modules are used do direct which tote, bin, or carton, the item is to be picked into, rather than directing which locations to pick from.
Queue time
Amount of time a job waits at an operation prior to set up or processing. Part of manufacturing lead time.
Rack
Metal framework in the warehouse used to store products several levels high.
Radio frequency, (RF)
In warehousing refers to the portable data collection devices that use radio frequency to transmit data to host system.
Random location storage
Refers to storage method where a product may be stored in any location. Random storage has higher space utilization and generally lower accuracy than fixed location storage
Rate Sheet
A schedule of warehouse or transportation charges for a client.
Reach truck
A.k.a. Stand-up reach, Straddle reach , Double-deep reach. The reach truck is a narrow-aisle (8'-10') lift truck designed specifically for racked pallet storage. It consists of outriggers in front and telescoping forks that use a hydraulic scissors-type mechanism that allow you to pick up the load and retract it over the outriggers reducing the overall truck and load length, allowing you to turn in a narrower aisle. Double-deep reach trucks use an extended reach mechanism that allows you to store pallets two-deep in specially designed double-deep rack. Reach trucks are designed for racking areas only and do not work for loading trucks or quickly moving loads over distances. Also see Lift Truck Pics and Lift Truck Basics for more info
Recurring Storage
An amount charged to a client for monthly storage; it is based on the amount of product stored in the warehouse on the first day of the month or specified by the contract.
Reorder point
The inventory level set to trigger reorder of a specific item. Reorder point is generally calculated as the expected usage (demand) during the lead time plus safety stock.
Return Authorization
Permission given to a carrier or consignee to return product to Nexus.
Return Authorization Number
This is usually a number supplied by the client authorizing the return of product from a consignee to Nexus (i.e. RPC or RMA).
Reverse logistics
Fancy term for Returns. Reverse Logistics covers activities related to returned product, returned pallets and containers, returned materials for disposal or recycling.
RF
Radio Frequency scanning and transmission of data.
RF Gun
A hand-held radio frequency terminal with a screen, a keypad, and a scanner that is used by warehouse personnel to scan pallet tags and location tags.
RFID, Radio frequency identification
Refers to devices attached to an object that transmit data to an RFID receiver. These devices can be large pieces of hardware the size of a small book, like those attached to ocean containers, or very small devices inserted into a label on a package. RFID has advantages over barcodes, such as the ability to hold more data, the ability to change the stored data as processing occurs, does not require line-of-site to transfer data and is very effective in harsh environments where bar code labels won't work.
Roller conveyor
Type of conveyor that uses rollers to move materials. Roller conveyor may be automated (live roller) or simply use gravity (gravity roller) to move materials.
Safety stock
Quantity of inventory used in inventory management systems to allow for deviations in demand or supply. Safety stock calculations will take into account historic deviations and use a required service level multiplier to determine the optimal safety stock level.
SCAC
Standard Carrier Alpha Code; a unique 2 to 4 letter code assigned to transportation companies for identification purposes. SCAC codes are required for EDI, and are printed on bills of lading and other transportation documents.